This forest walk from the attractive village of Archiestown climbs gradually through the trees to reach the summit of Càrn Cattoch, a fine viewpoint.
Mostly forestry tracks, with some short muddier paths.
None to start.
Archiestown square.
There is car parking on the south side of the square in Archiestown, close to the hotel (don't use the hotel's marked spaces). Begin the walk by crossing the main road and heading north past the war memorial - there is a footpath sign for 'Forest walks'. The road climbs gently and there are great views back to Ben Rinnes. Keep straight on; the road ends at the edge of the forestry near a house. Continue to reach a gate ('Elchies' forestry sign) and along the forest track beyond. Keep straight ahead at a junction with a track off left, then ignore a path off on each side, and bear slightly left at a third junction where a track heads off to the right. You are following yellow markers throughout.
Eventually a right turn is taken onto another track - again with a yellow marker post. About 500m the track reaches a quarry with a locked gate on your left. Ignore this and follow the track which passes around its right edge, soon curving back left. This rejoins the quarry track - turn right to continue along this. After almost another 1km, the track bends left and a wooden footpath sign indicates the narrower track which bears slightly right uphill for Cairn Cattoch.
At the edge of the forestry, near an old boundary stone, turn left on a path that runs beside the fence - it is wet underfoot in places but soon leads to the summit of Cairn Cattach, which is marked by a wooden stake. Although the contours are gentle, there is an extensive view of the forest and hill country around, with the Cairn Uish windfarm prominent. Retrace your steps along the path and the track back into the forest to the junction with the wooden signpost; when you reach this, turn right along the main track.
The track now gives more open views over the extensive forestry plantations. Eventually it bends sharp left, and further on reaches a t-junction with another track. Turn left here, and straight on at the next junction, to rejoin the outward route once more and follow it back down the hill towards Archiestown.
It is possible to vary the return when purple waymarker posts indicate a path off to either side (after the end of a fence on the right). Turn right and follow the narrow path through an attractive area of native birch trees. The path eventually swings left and heads through a more mature area of birchwoods. Eventually it reaches a main track; turn left here. The track soon rejoins the outward track once more - turn right to head back down to the road and return to Archiestown.
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